Between the region’s craggy peaks and endless slopes, people have been skiing in Valais for generations. Here, skiing is not just a sport, but rather a culture that is alive and well. And right in the middle of it all, there is Camille Rast. Growing up in the Rhône Valley, deeply rooted in alpine culture, she has made it to the very top of international ski racing. Her story is about more than just own personal success. She describes a region where the joy of skiing is passed on from an early age, and where skiing has become a real way of life.

Even as a child, Camille spent her time pulling on ski boots in the living room. Given the choice, she would have loved to spend every spare moment on her skis. Lunch breaks didn’t interest her much; she preferred to keep skiing and stay outside in the snow. This passion for skiing is something that has remained with her to this day. Since childhood, she has pursued the goal of skiing fast and winning races. Today she is a ski racer and the reigning world champion in slalom. And, she confesses: “Once you’ve had that first win, you’ll start to want more.”

Camille’s father would always tell her: “Never give up!” These are words that Camille still carries with her to this day and that inspire her on a daily basis. She is well aware that her career as a ski racer would not have been possible without the support of her parents. Beyond their roles as parents, they also acted as taxi drivers, companions and, above all, her greatest source of support. When they are there in the stands today, Camille also skis with them in mind, determined to make them proud and never give up.

Camille’s passion for skiing continues on to this day. In the meantime, she is now working to pass this on to the next generation: Skiing should be about having fun. Only those who stand on skis with enthusiasm and confidence will continue to develop long-term. Camille is keen to connect with young people and share her passion with them. From an early age, an idea began to take root: the desire to organise a race of her own one day.

How the Camille Rast Trophy came to be. A race that is open to everyone – irrespective of their skiing ability. It is held at the end of the winter season, once Camille has wrapped up her own competitions and is able to deliberately set some time aside for the next generation. The focus of the race is not on times or podium places, but rather on enjoying a day’s skiing together. Setting performance pressure aside, children in costume line up at the start, families cheer from the sides of the piste as the young skiers weave their way down the slopes. And a raffle is also held – ensuring it is not only the fastest that get a chance to come away with a win. For Camille, Valais’s ski culture is also about enjoying special moments on skis, cheering one another on, and sharing in the passion for winter sports together.

Her advice to all children is therefore quite simply to have fun! Because in sport – and especially for those dreaming of a career in it – this is the most important foundation. It helps you to stay committed, learn from your mistakes, and keep going even when a run is less than perfect. Camille hopes to pass this feeling on to the young people taking part. For her, development does not begin with the result, but rather with enthusiasm for the sport itself.

For Camille, there is no better place to ski than Grimentz-Zinal. The popular skiing and hiking area in the Val d’Anniviers connects two very special places: Grimentz, with its picturesque village centre, and Zinal, known for its high-alpine feel. Together, they form a ski area featuring 115 kilometres of slopes, framed by the impressive chain of 4,000-metre peaks known as the “Couronne Impériale”. Camille doesn’t just ski here, it’s the place she feels at home. Here, she finds peace between mountains, slopes, and people who share her passion for skiing.

The support of Grimentz-Zinal means a lot to Camille. It is an honour for her to represent the region on the international stage. She proudly wears its name on her helmet. By doing so, she is skiing not only for herself, but also for her own Valais region, raising its profile that little bit more with every curve.

From Grimentz-Zinal, the view extends as far as Crans-Montana, where the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships will take place in 2027. This two-week event is something very special indeed for Valais. An entire region’s skiing fans will share their passion for winter sports with the rest of the world. The motto “Inspiring the Future” comes to life here in a tangible way.

For Camille, the Crans-Montana 2027 World Ski Championships carry additional significance: As a technical specialist, she does not usually participate in World Cup races in Switzerland, since no women’s technical events are held here.

The home World Championships therefore are much more than just a sporting highlight for her. Following on from the World Championships in St. Moritz in 2017, this will be only the second time she has had the opportunity to compete in front of her home crowd. She is looking forward to hearing her fans, who will cheer her on from the very first second, following her all the way to the finish line. At the same time, she hopes that the spectators in Crans-Montana will not only experience the sport, but also the region in which the event will be held: “In Valais, we are lucky enough to have magnificent panoramic views. I hope that people enjoy these views and the area and that they head home wanting to come back again in the future.”

The FIS Alpine World Ski Championships Crans-Montana will be held in Valais from 1 to 14 February 2027. Forty years after the legendary 1987 World Championships, Crans-Montana will once again become the focus of attention for international skiing, when the world’s best athletes will come together to compete for the World Championship titles on the illustrious ski slopes of Mont Lachaux and Nationale. Under the guiding principle of “Inspiring the Future”, the World Championships are intended not only to showcase top sporting performances, but also to ignite passion for winter sports in the next generation and provide the region with sustainable momentum.